Notice: AQI User Fees
On October 29, 2015, the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) published a final rule that adjusts the fees the U.S. Government charges to recoup the costs of conducting agricultural quarantine inspections (AQI) at U.S. ports of entry. The final rule will be effective beginning December 28, 2015. Learn More>>
The Agricultural Quarantine Inspection (AQI) program plays a critical role in protecting U.S. agriculture and the environment from invasive plant and animal pests and diseases. This is accomplished through risk assessment and analysis, pest identification, treatment and mitigation protocols, policy development and administration, as well as inspections of international passengers, commercial vessels, trucks, aircraft and railcars. PPQ and the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) work together at the Nation’s borders and ports of entry to carry out all AQI program activities to intercept and keep out any foreign agricultural pests that could affect U.S. agriculture, trade and commerce.